Does Medicare Cover Birth Control?
Birth control is among the essential items for women who are married or in a relationship. Family planning is extremely important today and birth control plays a crucial role in maintaining the population.
However, as most birth control products tend to be expensive not everyone can afford these by paying out of their pockets. Hence, people turn to health insurance policies to get birth control products.
Does Medicare cover birth control? This is one of the most frequently asked questions from Medicare beneficiaries. This article will answer the question completely.
Does Medicare Cover Birth Control? – Medicare and Birth Control
CDC reports that 65% of women between 15 and 49 years of age used a form of birth control during the period from 2017 to 2019. Some of the most commonly used birth control pills and devices in the US include:
- Birth control pills
- Injectable birth control medications
- Contraceptive implants
- Birth control path
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Vaginal ring
- Vasectomy
- Hysterectomy
Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not offer to cover birth control, except in specific medically necessary instances.
Medical Advantage (part C) and Medicare Part D which is meant for prescription drugs do offer limited coverage for birth control.
Original Medicare and Birth Control
Original Medicare is a combination of Part A and Part B. Part A Medicare offers coverage for inpatient healthcare expenses.
For instance, this policy covers the cost of healthcare services you receive as an outpatient. This Medicare policy covers the cost of doctor’s visits, therapies, diagnostic tests, etc.
Original Medicare and Birth Control
Medicare Part B offers coverage for numerous types of preventive care treatments. These include vaccines and health screenings.
However, birth control pills and devices are not included under preventive medicine within Medicare Part B.
Original Medicare usually does not offer coverage for elective procedures. For instance, you should not expect Original Medicare to cover the cost of implanting birth control devices or vasectomies.
However, there are certain instances, where birth control drugs or devices may be medically necessary to treat certain health conditions.
For example, a hysterectomy may be advised to treat a severe health condition. Several health conditions, such as ovarian cysts, can also be treated using birth control pills.
In such cases, Medicare may provide coverage for medications and procedures to treat another medical condition.
Medicare Part D and Birth Control
Medicare Part D is designed to pay the cost of prescription drugs. The specific prescription medications that are covered may vary from one insurance company to another.
It also depends on the specific Medicare Part D plan you have. You will get a list of prescription drugs that are covered under Medicare Part D once your policy application is approved.
Several Medicare Part D plans offer coverage for birth control medications.
Always check the offered documents carefully and ensure that birth control medications are covered under your chosen plan.
Medicare Advantage and Birth Control
Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, can be bought directly from a private insurance vendor.
This insurance offers the usual benefits offered under Original Medicare along with additional benefits, such as dental and vision care.
Read the offered documents carefully to ensure that your Medicare Advantage plan offers coverage for birth control procedures.
Several Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, similar to Part D policies.
Make sure to check the offered list of drugs and procedures to ensure that birth control medications are covered.
Medicare Supplement Plans and Birth Control
Medigap, the Medicare Supplement Plan, covers a portion of Medicare costs, such as coinsurance, copays, and deductibles.
This insurance plan covers Medicare-approved medications and procedure costs. So, make sure that your plan includes the chosen birth control method.
Cost of Birth Control with Medicare
The cost of birth control under Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans varies. Its exact cost is determined by your choice of plan and its extent of coverage.
Make sure to consult with your physician before buying a Medicare plan for birth control benefits.
Conclusion
Conventional Medicare may not cover the cost of birth control methods unless they are used to treat any underlying health condition.
Although some Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans do cover the cost of birth control pills and procedures.
If you regularly need birth control, then it is highly advisable to switch to the Medicare Advantage plan as it includes coverage for several birth control pills and procedures.
Check with your plan administrator to make sure that birth control pills are included in the plan cover before buying any Medicare insurance plan.
See Also
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References
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